Jane Austen's Lost Letters

Jane K. Cleland returns with Jane Austen's Lost Letters, the fourteenth installment in the beloved Josie Prescott Antiques series, set on the rugged New Hampshire coast.

Antiques appraiser Josie Prescott is in the midst of filming a segment for her new television show, Josie’s Antiques, when the assistant director interrupts to let her know she has a visitor. Josie reluctantly pauses production and goes outside, where she finds an elegant older woman waiting to see her.

Veronica Sutton introduces herself as an old friend of Josie’s father, who had died twenty years earlier. Veronica seems fidgety, and after only a few minutes, hands Josie a brown paper-wrapped package, about the size of a shoebox, and leaves.

Mystified, Josie opens the package, and gasps when she sees what’s inside: a notecard bearing her name—in her father’s handwriting—and a green leather box. Inside the box are two letters in transparent plastic sleeves. The first bears the salutation, “My dear Cassandra,” the latter, “Dearest Fanny.” Both are signed “Jane Austen.” Could her father have really accidentally found two previously unknown letters by one of the world’s most beloved authors—Jane Austen? Reeling, Josie tries to track down Veronica, but the woman has vanished without a trace.

Josie sets off on the quest of a lifetime to learn what Veronica knows about her father and to discover whether the Jane Austen letters are real. As she draws close to the truth, she finds herself in danger, and learns that some people will do anything to keep a secret—even kill.

"Delightful....Full of red herrings, the twisty plot builds to a satisfying conclusion, and descriptions of each authentication process are a bonus." —Publishers Weekly on Hidden Treasure

"As fascinating as its predecessors with plenty of details that capture the excitement of the hunt....Also appealing are the engaging and sympathetic characters who bring warmth to this cozy mystery." —Library Journal (starred review) on Antique Blues

"A lovely series." —Oline H. Cogdill, MysteryScene Mag

"Suspects and motives abound...Cleland has created an appealing character in Josie, who has grown and prospered in a most satisfying way." —Publishers Weekly on Antique Blues

"A cozy replete with antiques lore, likable characters, and a more complex mystery than usual." —Kirkus Reviews on Glow of Death

"Series fans and newcomers alike will enjoy Cleland’s [Lethal Treasure]…Ample antique lore and credible characters bolster an intriguing plot." —Publishers Weekly